Publisher's Summary

You don't have to be a genius to think like one. Each of us uses only a fraction of our brainpower, explains Michael J. Gelb, who has helped thousands of men and women learn to put more of their minds to work - and play - than they ever thought possible.

Now the acclaimed author of Lessons from the Art of Juggling and Thinking for a Change reveals how any one of us can fulfill our own untapped potential by following the example of the greatest genius of all time, Leonardo da Vinci. Drawing on Leonardo's notebooks, inventions, and legendary works of art, Gelb introduces the Seven da Vincian Principles - seven essential elements of genius, named in da Vinci's native Italian, that any of us can develop on our own. From the notebook's celebration of an insatiably curious approach to life (curiositá) to the willingness to embrace uncertainty and paradox (sfumato) embodied in Mona Lisa's smile, these principles will seem at once intuitively familiar and surprisingly powerful. Offering an abundance of interactive, entertaining exercises to help you master each principle, Gelb also helps you see how you can use them at work, at home, and everywhere else.

Following Leonardo's lead, you'll learn powerful new strategies for tackling challenges both timely and timeless, introducing problem solving; creative thinking; self-expression; enjoying the world around you; goal setting and life balancing; and harmonizing body and mind.

Can't get enough of Leonardo's legacy? Check out our store devoted to all things Da Vinci.

Is this all that made Leonardo da Vinci different, a curiosity about life, a desire to learn more, asking great questions and keeping a note book full of reflections? The great questions included in one of the books exercises were to ask these questions: who, what, when, where and why. This book has some interesting facts about Leonardo but it doesn't really teach the reader how to think like him. It appears the author focused on his writing style and missed the mark connecting the title to the actual content of the work.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

M. Consol

Livermore, CA, United States

5/05/04

Overall

"More self-help bromides"

This book was a disappointment. The information about da Vinci's life was interesting. But by the mid-way point the book degrades into yet another litany of self-help and goal setting exercises. There's hundreds of book out there already recommending such exercises, and I doubt da Vinci actually spent his time with these endless and tedious tasks. In fact, if you follow the book's prescription you'd fill your entire day just doing mental exercises trying to become creative rather than actually doing creative things. There's nothing original or even very practical about this book.

20 of 21 people found this review helpful

Gerowe

portland, OR, USA

3/05/09

Overall

"not worth the money..."

Other than a few interesting facts about da Vinci's youth this book is filled with nothing but uninspired axioms than any five year-old could string together. If, that is, the five year-old spoke italian. At one point the author says make your own insignia. Is branding really what Leonardo was thinking? This book is the opposite of insightful.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Hans P. Heinrich

Vancouver, BC Canada

12/11/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Distracting affectation"

What did you love best about How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci?

The ideas presented had many insightful points

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Refrain from repeating the concepts in Italian. Once the point was made, just use the English version of the phrase

What insight do you think you’ll apply from How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci?

The use of mind mapping ideas is the concept I'm most likely to pursue first.

Any additional comments?

With the reader's overbearing insistence on pronouncing the Italian words over and over again, it was like listening to a pompous language student practicing with a distracting, arrogance. I found myself wanting to ask him to shut up already with the pronunciation. I wouldn't recommend this aggregation to anyone. The printed version would be my choice.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Jolinda

Oklahoma City, OK, United States

7/09/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!"

Would you consider the audio edition of How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci to be better than the print version?

It's an amazing book, any way you can get this information… you should.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci?

The life story of Da Vinci...

Which character – as performed by Michael J. Gelb – was your favorite?

NA

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Genius EVERYDAY!

Any additional comments?

I have already recommended this book both paperback and audio to many of my friends and family.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Carolina Collao

Calgary, AB Canada

5/02/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"It really helps you open your mind"

Te best way of listening to this audiobook is with pen and paper at hand because it gives you such valuable information about opening your mind that you will want to write it down!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Jacqueline

Charlestown, MA, USA

30/01/03

Overall

"OK if you don't know this stuff already"

I didn't find this audiotape very useful because I already do a lot of the techniques described in the book. I think this would be good if you haven't explored your creativity a lot or need a reminder.

17 of 36 people found this review helpful

Frank

Beaver Falls, PA, United States

23/01/11

Overall

"Excellent book - many tremendous tips"

Excellent book - It is filled with tips and techniques to help think like da Vinci.

0 of 2 people found this review helpful

Tim

Clinton, UT, USA

4/02/09

Overall

"A Must Listen for the New Intellect"

This book was very insightful. Before listening to this I only had the basic knowledge of da Vinci from school and a little bit of research on the web and now I feel I have a much firmer grasp on why he is such a powerful figure in our history. I would recommend this book for anyone =)

- Tim

0 of 2 people found this review helpful

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